BIANCA. Good sister, wrong me not, nor wrong yourself,
To make a bondmaid and a slave of me-
That I disdain; but for these other gawds,
Unbind my hands, I'll pull them off myself,
Yea, all my raiment, to my petticoat;
Or what you will command me will I do,
So well I know my duty to my elders.
KATHERINA. Of all thy suitors here I charge thee tell
Whom thou lov'st best. See thou dissemble not.
BIANCA. Believe me, sister, of all the men alive
I never yet beheld that special face
Which I could fancy more than any other.
KATHERINA. Minion, thou liest. Is't not Hortensio?
BIANCA. If you affect him, sister, here I swear
I'll plead for you myself but you shall have him.
KATHERINA. O then, belike, you fancy riches more:
You will have Gremio to keep you fair.
BIANCA. Is it for him you do envy me so?
Nay, then you jest; and now I well perceive
You have but jested with me all this while.
I prithee, sister Kate, untie my hands.
KATHERINA. [Strikes her] If that be jest, then an the rest was
so.
Enter BAPTISTA
BAPTISTA. Why, how now, dame! Whence grows this insolence?
Bianca, stand aside- poor girl! she weeps.
[He unbinds her]
Go ply thy needle; meddle not with her.
For shame, thou hilding of a devilish spirit,
Why dost thou wrong her that did ne'er wrong thee?
When did she cross thee with a bitter word?
KATHERINA. Her silence flouts me, and I'll be reveng'd.
[Flies after BIANCA]
BAPTISTA. What, in my sight? Bianca, get thee in.
Exit BIANCA
KATHERINA. What, will you not suffer me? Nay, now I see
She is your treasure, she must have a husband;
I must dance bare-foot on her wedding-day,
And for your love to her lead apes in hell.
Talk not to me; I will go sit and weep,
Till I can find occasion of revenge. Exit KATHERINA
BAPTISTA. Was ever gentleman thus griev'd as I?
But who comes here?
Enter GREMIO, with LUCENTIO in the habit of a mean man;
PETRUCHIO, with HORTENSIO as a musician; and TRANIO,
as LUCENTIO, with his boy, BIONDELLO, bearing a lute and
books
GREMIO. Good morrow, neighbour Baptista. BAPTISTA. Good morrow, neighbour Gremio.
God save you, gentlemen!
PETRUCHIO. And you, good sir! Pray, have you not a daughter
Call'd Katherina, fair and virtuous?
BAPTISTA. I have a daughter, sir, call'd Katherina.
GREMIO. You are too blunt; go to it orderly.
PETRUCHIO. You wrong me, Signior Gremio; give me leave.
I am a gentleman of Verona, sir,
That, hearing of her beauty and her wit,
Her affability and bashful modesty,
Her wondrous qualities and mild behaviour,
Am bold to show myself a forward guest
Within your house, to make mine eye the witness
Of that report which I so oft have heard.
And, for an entrance to my entertainment,
I do present you with a man of mine,
[Presenting HORTENSIO]
Cunning in music and the mathematics,
To instruct her fully in those sciences,
Whereof I know she is not ignorant.
Accept of him, or else you do me wrong-
His name is Licio, born in Mantua.
BAPTISTA. Y'are welcome, sir, and he for your good sake;
But for my daughter Katherine, this I know,
She is not for your turn, the more my grief.
PETRUCHIO. I see you do not mean to part with her;
Or else you like not of my company.
BAPTISTA. Mistake me not; I speak but as I find.
Whence are you, sir? What may I call your name?
PETRUCHIO. Petruchio is my name, Antonio's son,
A man well known throughout all Italy.
BAPTISTA. I know him well; you are welcome for his sake.
GREMIO. Saving your tale, Petruchio, I pray,
Let us that are poor petitioners speak too.
Bacare! you are marvellous forward.
PETRUCHIO. O, pardon me, Signior Gremio! I would fain be doing.
GREMIO. I doubt it not, sir; but you will curse your wooing.
Neighbour, this is a gift very grateful, I am sure of it. To
express the like kindness, myself, that have been more kindly
beholding to you than any, freely give unto you this young
scholar [Presenting LUCENTIO] that hath been long studying
at
Rheims; as cunning in Greek, Latin, and other languages, as
the
other in music and mathematics. His name is Cambio. Pray
accept
his service.
BAPTISTA. A thousand thanks, Signior Gremio. Welcome, good
Cambio.
[To TRANIO] But, gentle sir, methinks you walk like a
stranger.
May I be so bold to know the cause of your coming? TRANIO. Pardon me, sir, the boldness is mine own
That, being a stranger in this city here,
Do make myself a suitor to your daughter,
Unto Bianca, fair and virtuous.
Nor is your firm resolve unknown to me
In the preferment of the eldest sister.
This liberty is all that I request-
That, upon knowledge of my parentage,
I may have welcome 'mongst the rest that woo,
And free access and favour as the rest.
And toward the education of your daughters
I here bestow a simple instrument,
And this small packet of Greek and Latin books.
If you accept them, then their worth is great.
BAPTISTA. Lucentio is your name? Of whence, I pray?
TRANIO. Of Pisa, sir; son to Vincentio.
BAPTISTA. A mighty man of Pisa. By report
I know him well. You are very welcome, sir.
Take you the lute, and you the set of books;
You shall go see your pupils presently.
Holla, within!
Enter a SERVANT
Sirrah, lead these gentlemen
To my daughters; and tell them both
These are their tutors. Bid them use them well.
Exit SERVANT leading HORTENSIO carrying the lute
and LUCENTIO with the books
We will go walk a little in the orchard,
And then to dinner. You are passing welcome,
And so I pray you all to think yourselves. PETRUCHIO. Signior Baptista, my business asketh haste,
And every day I cannot come to woo.
You knew my father well, and in him me,
Left solely heir to all his lands and goods,
Which I have bettered rather than decreas'd.
Then tell me, if I get your daughter's love,
What dowry shall I have with her to wife?
BAPTISTA. After my death, the one half of my lands
And, in possession, twenty thousand crowns.
PETRUCHIO. And for that dowry, I'll assure her of
Her widowhood, be it that she survive me,
In all my lands and leases whatsoever.
Let specialities be therefore drawn between us,
That covenants may be kept on either hand.
BAPTISTA. Ay, when the special thing is well obtain'd,
That is, her love; for that is all in all.
PETRUCHIO. Why, that is nothing; for I tell you, father,
I am as peremptory as she proud-minded;
And where two raging fires meet together,
They do consume the thing that feeds their fury.
Though little fire grows great with little wind,
Yet extreme gusts will blow out fire and all.
So I to her, and so she yields to me;
For I am rough, and woo not like a babe.
BAPTISTA. Well mayst thou woo, and happy be thy speed
But be thou arm'd for some unhappy words.
PETRUCHIO. Ay, to the proof, as mountains are for winds,
That shake not though they blow perpetually.
In this text Bianca tells Katherina that if she unbinds her hands she will do what ever Katherina wants her to do since she is her elder. This is a smart remark trying to point out the fact that Katherina is becoming older and could hint to the fact that Katherina is not married and has no known suitors. Bianca then tells her sister that she has not yet met the man she could truely love.
In this scene Baptista greets Gremio but more importantly meets Petruchio. Petruchio introduces himself as a suitor to Katherina and describes her in such a manner that catches Baptista off guard. Petruchio is making her sound so beautiful both inside and out that baptista almost doesn't realize he is talking about his daughter.
In this text Tranio introduces himself to Baptista as a young man from Pisa named Lucentio, he also says that his father is Vincentio. He asks to be a suitor to beautiful Bianca and presents Baptista with an insturment and a bunch of language books being carried by Biondello. Baptista accepts him and lets him in.
In this text Petruchio so boldly asks Baptista what dowry, or money coming along with a spouse's hand in marriage, he will recieve if he marries Katherina. Baptista being the business man that he is quickly replies half of his land and 20,000 crowns, or gold coins. Petruchio tells baptista that if he dies before her she will inherit all of his wealth. He even asks Baptista to sign contracts now. Baptista says oh no nut until i see that you have Katherina's heart and love.
In this text Bianca is trying to talk Katherina into untieing her hands and not to make a slave out of her. She also says that if Katherina undoes her hands Bianca will do what ever Biance asks of her. Then Katherina asks Bianca which of the men that are wooing her she is the most fond of. Bianca responds by telling her that she has not yet found a man she loves.
Why is Tranio asking to be a suitor to Bianca?
Why is Baptista willing to give so much money in Katherine's Dowry?
I believe that Katherina has been such a hastle to Baptista that he is willing to give a large amount of money to get her off his back.
I agree with above, and also i can add that he is a fair business man and if he has two daughters he will divide the money and the property up evenly.
Tranio is asking to be a suitor to Bianca because since the first moment Lucentio laid eyes on her, he knew that he just had to marry her. It is like love at first sight. Thus, Tranio is faking to be Lucentio so Lucentio can be a tutor to Bianca and be with her to warm her up. Then when Baptista gives permission for Tranio who is playing as Lucentio to marry Bianca they can switch places back and Lucentio can get the girl. Tranio agrees to doing this because he is a servant and he will get to act like he is the master, also for th e time they switch places he will get all the money to do as he pleases with.
...
...
...
... You are exactly right. Here's another clue that Baptista actually does love both of his daughters, even if he doesn't know how to deal with Katherina.
...
... Superb interpretation! Just superb!
Text
Padua. BAPTISTA'S house
Enter KATHERINA and BIANCA
BIANCA. Good sister, wrong me not, nor wrong yourself,
To make a bondmaid and a slave of me-
That I disdain; but for these other gawds,
Unbind my hands, I'll pull them off myself,
Yea, all my raiment, to my petticoat;
Or what you will command me will I do,
So well I know my duty to my elders.
KATHERINA. Of all thy suitors here I charge thee tell
Whom thou lov'st best. See thou dissemble not.
BIANCA. Believe me, sister, of all the men alive
I never yet beheld that special face
Which I could fancy more than any other.
KATHERINA. Minion, thou liest. Is't not Hortensio?
BIANCA. If you affect him, sister, here I swear
I'll plead for you myself but you shall have him.
KATHERINA. O then, belike, you fancy riches more:
You will have Gremio to keep you fair.
BIANCA. Is it for him you do envy me so?
Nay, then you jest; and now I well perceive
You have but jested with me all this while.
I prithee, sister Kate, untie my hands.
KATHERINA. [Strikes her] If that be jest, then an the rest was
so.
Enter BAPTISTA
BAPTISTA. Why, how now, dame! Whence grows this insolence?
Bianca, stand aside- poor girl! she weeps.
[He unbinds her]
Go ply thy needle; meddle not with her.
For shame, thou hilding of a devilish spirit,
Why dost thou wrong her that did ne'er wrong thee?
When did she cross thee with a bitter word?
KATHERINA. Her silence flouts me, and I'll be reveng'd.
[Flies after BIANCA]
BAPTISTA. What, in my sight? Bianca, get thee in.
Exit BIANCA
KATHERINA. What, will you not suffer me? Nay, now I see
She is your treasure, she must have a husband;
I must dance bare-foot on her wedding-day,
And for your love to her lead apes in hell.
Talk not to me; I will go sit and weep,
Till I can find occasion of revenge. Exit KATHERINA
BAPTISTA. Was ever gentleman thus griev'd as I?
But who comes here?
Enter GREMIO, with LUCENTIO in the habit of a mean man;
PETRUCHIO, with HORTENSIO as a musician; and TRANIO,
as LUCENTIO, with his boy, BIONDELLO, bearing a lute and
books
GREMIO. Good morrow, neighbour Baptista.
BAPTISTA. Good morrow, neighbour Gremio.
God save you, gentlemen!
PETRUCHIO. And you, good sir! Pray, have you not a daughter
Call'd Katherina, fair and virtuous?
BAPTISTA. I have a daughter, sir, call'd Katherina.
GREMIO. You are too blunt; go to it orderly.
PETRUCHIO. You wrong me, Signior Gremio; give me leave.
I am a gentleman of Verona, sir,
That, hearing of her beauty and her wit,
Her affability and bashful modesty,
Her wondrous qualities and mild behaviour,
Am bold to show myself a forward guest
Within your house, to make mine eye the witness
Of that report which I so oft have heard.
And, for an entrance to my entertainment,
I do present you with a man of mine,
[Presenting HORTENSIO]
Cunning in music and the mathematics,
To instruct her fully in those sciences,
Whereof I know she is not ignorant.
Accept of him, or else you do me wrong-
His name is Licio, born in Mantua.
BAPTISTA. Y'are welcome, sir, and he for your good sake;
But for my daughter Katherine, this I know,
She is not for your turn, the more my grief.
PETRUCHIO. I see you do not mean to part with her;
Or else you like not of my company.
BAPTISTA. Mistake me not; I speak but as I find.
Whence are you, sir? What may I call your name?
PETRUCHIO. Petruchio is my name, Antonio's son,
A man well known throughout all Italy.
BAPTISTA. I know him well; you are welcome for his sake.
GREMIO. Saving your tale, Petruchio, I pray,
Let us that are poor petitioners speak too.
Bacare! you are marvellous forward.
PETRUCHIO. O, pardon me, Signior Gremio! I would fain be doing.
GREMIO. I doubt it not, sir; but you will curse your wooing.
Neighbour, this is a gift very grateful, I am sure of it. To
express the like kindness, myself, that have been more kindly
beholding to you than any, freely give unto you this young
scholar [Presenting LUCENTIO] that hath been long studying
at
Rheims; as cunning in Greek, Latin, and other languages, as
the
other in music and mathematics. His name is Cambio. Pray
accept
his service.
BAPTISTA. A thousand thanks, Signior Gremio. Welcome, good
Cambio.
[To TRANIO] But, gentle sir, methinks you walk like a
stranger.
May I be so bold to know the cause of your coming?
TRANIO. Pardon me, sir, the boldness is mine own
That, being a stranger in this city here,
Do make myself a suitor to your daughter,
Unto Bianca, fair and virtuous.
Nor is your firm resolve unknown to me
In the preferment of the eldest sister.
This liberty is all that I request-
That, upon knowledge of my parentage,
I may have welcome 'mongst the rest that woo,
And free access and favour as the rest.
And toward the education of your daughters
I here bestow a simple instrument,
And this small packet of Greek and Latin books.
If you accept them, then their worth is great.
BAPTISTA. Lucentio is your name? Of whence, I pray?
TRANIO. Of Pisa, sir; son to Vincentio.
BAPTISTA. A mighty man of Pisa. By report
I know him well. You are very welcome, sir.
Take you the lute, and you the set of books;
You shall go see your pupils presently.
Holla, within!
Enter a SERVANT
Sirrah, lead these gentlemen
To my daughters; and tell them both
These are their tutors. Bid them use them well.
Exit SERVANT leading HORTENSIO carrying the lute
and LUCENTIO with the books
We will go walk a little in the orchard,
And then to dinner. You are passing welcome,
And so I pray you all to think yourselves.
PETRUCHIO. Signior Baptista, my business asketh haste,
And every day I cannot come to woo.
You knew my father well, and in him me,
Left solely heir to all his lands and goods,
Which I have bettered rather than decreas'd.
Then tell me, if I get your daughter's love,
What dowry shall I have with her to wife?
BAPTISTA. After my death, the one half of my lands
And, in possession, twenty thousand crowns.
PETRUCHIO. And for that dowry, I'll assure her of
Her widowhood, be it that she survive me,
In all my lands and leases whatsoever.
Let specialities be therefore drawn between us,
That covenants may be kept on either hand.
BAPTISTA. Ay, when the special thing is well obtain'd,
That is, her love; for that is all in all.
PETRUCHIO. Why, that is nothing; for I tell you, father,
I am as peremptory as she proud-minded;
And where two raging fires meet together,
They do consume the thing that feeds their fury.
Though little fire grows great with little wind,
Yet extreme gusts will blow out fire and all.
So I to her, and so she yields to me;
For I am rough, and woo not like a babe.
BAPTISTA. Well mayst thou woo, and happy be thy speed
But be thou arm'd for some unhappy words.
PETRUCHIO. Ay, to the proof, as mountains are for winds,
That shake not though they blow perpetually.
In this scene Baptista greets Gremio but more importantly meets Petruchio. Petruchio introduces himself as a suitor to Katherina and describes her in such a manner that catches Baptista off guard. Petruchio is making her sound so beautiful both inside and out that baptista almost doesn't realize he is talking about his daughter.
In this text Tranio introduces himself to Baptista as a young man from Pisa named Lucentio, he also says that his father is Vincentio. He asks to be a suitor to beautiful Bianca and presents Baptista with an insturment and a bunch of language books being carried by Biondello. Baptista accepts him and lets him in.
In this text Petruchio so boldly asks Baptista what dowry, or money coming along with a spouse's hand in marriage, he will recieve if he marries Katherina. Baptista being the business man that he is quickly replies half of his land and 20,000 crowns, or gold coins. Petruchio tells baptista that if he dies before her she will inherit all of his wealth. He even asks Baptista to sign contracts now. Baptista says oh no nut until i see that you have Katherina's heart and love.
In this text Bianca is trying to talk Katherina into untieing her hands and not to make a slave out of her. She also says that if Katherina undoes her hands Bianca will do what ever Biance asks of her. Then Katherina asks Bianca which of the men that are wooing her she is the most fond of. Bianca responds by telling her that she has not yet found a man she loves.
Why is Baptista willing to give so much money in Katherine's Dowry?
I agree with above, and also i can add that he is a fair business man and if he has two daughters he will divide the money and the property up evenly.
Tranio is asking to be a suitor to Bianca because since the first moment Lucentio laid eyes on her, he knew that he just had to marry her. It is like love at first sight. Thus, Tranio is faking to be Lucentio so Lucentio can be a tutor to Bianca and be with her to warm her up. Then when Baptista gives permission for Tranio who is playing as Lucentio to marry Bianca they can switch places back and Lucentio can get the girl. Tranio agrees to doing this because he is a servant and he will get to act like he is the master, also for th e time they switch places he will get all the money to do as he pleases with.
...
...
...
You are exactly right. Here's another clue that Baptista actually does love both of his daughters, even if he doesn't know how to deal with Katherina.
...
...
Superb interpretation! Just superb!